NEIL Lennon admitted last night that he is hopeful of strengthening his Celtic squad with another “two or three” players this week - and revealed he will take them to Sweden for the second leg of the Europa League play-off against AIK if he does.

Lennon watched his team defeat Hearts 3-1 at Parkhead yesterday to reclaim top spot in the Ladbrokes Premiership table from Rangers, who they play at Ibrox on Sunday, on goal difference.

But the Northern Irishman, who has been linked with Kilmarnock and Scotland left back Greg Taylor as well as Rosenborg and Norway defender Birger Meling, stressed he is keen to make more signings imminently afterwards.

The triple treble winners have landed Boli Bolingoli, Hatem Elhamed and Christopher Jullien for an outlay of over £11 million and brought in Fraser Forster on loan this summer. However, Lennon wants to increase his options.

“We need players in two or three positions,” he said. “That’s been ongoing for quite a while. Hopefully we can get some quality bodies in on Monday or Tuesday. If we do, I’d like to take them to Sweden with us to integrate them with the group if they have an opportunity to play next weekend.”

The presence of Andreas Pereira, the Brazil and Manchester United midfielder, at Celtic Park yesterday led to flurry of speculation. He is close friends with Hearts goalkeeper Joel Pereira, no relation, from their time together in the United academy.

Lennon handed a first start to Vakoun Bayo, was signed from Slovakian club Dunajska Streda for £2 million back in January, and the Ivorian striker repaid him by netting two goals. However, he was still not completely satisfied.

“He should have had a hat-trick and I’ve told him that as well,” he said “His forte is getting on the end of crosses. He was unlucky to hit the post with his header. But he can be absolutely delighted and we all are with him.

“He had a real bad hamstring rupture which kept him out from March onwards. Then he was looking decent in pre-season when the hamstring injury reoccurred. So he’s had to be patient.

“We just felt Odsonne (Edouard) looked very fatigued on Thursday and he has a bit of a hand injury. So it was a good opportunity to showcase Bayo and see what he could do in that environment. He excelled.”

Lennon handed Forster a start instead of Craig Gordon and was pleased with his contribution. “Fraser isn’t registered for Thursday and Craig will play,” he said. “I just wanted to get Fraser some game-time.”

Kristoffer Ajer, who once again played at right back, came off in the second-half, but Lennon is confident he will be available to face AIK. “Kris had a bit of cramp and a knee problem,” he said. “He also has a shoulder injury. Apart from that, he is okay! He should be fine.”

Hearts manager Craig Levein said: “I am sitting here very frustrated. We scored two own goals and gifted Celtic their other goal.”